Loose leaf card file



Oct. 17, 1933. J, HURLEY 1,930,838

LOOSE LEAF CARD FILE Filed May 9, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l IW/UeW/ior y 7223A Z50 ne- Oct. 17, 1933. J: M. HURLEY 1,930,838

LOOSE LEAF CARD FILE Filed May 9, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .59 hisA Ziorney Patented Oct. 17, 1933 LOOSE LEAF CARD FILE Joseph M. Hurley,

Application May 9, 19

15 Claims.

This invention relates to loose leaf card files. It is the general object of this invention to provide a novel and improved loose leaf card file which can be either folded up and conveniently placed in a drawer or the like, or can be used on a desk to expose desired cards to view for copying, or other use.

The objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear from the following 19 description, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts through the various views, and, in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete card file in folded-up relation;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken through the file when in the position shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the complete file in a position that it may assume when on a desk ready for use, a stenographers note book being shown attached to the copyholder plate of the file;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal. section taken through the file when it is set up in the position shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the rear portion of the file with the copyholder plate removed and with the cover plate in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 1, a card being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 6 is a plan View of a spring clip that is used;

Fig. 7 is a view in rear elevation of the same;

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation of the same;

9 is a perspective View illustrating one of the cards that may be used; and

10 is a section taken through a portion of one of the cards on a greatly enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided in accordance with the invention a base designated as an entirety by the letter A. This base includes a plate having a fiat bottom 10 and spaced parallel sides 11. The sides 11 have forward edges which incline upwardly and rearwardly from the forward edge of the bottom 10 at quite sharp angles thereto and join top edges parallel to the bottom 10. Secured to the bottom 10 is a second plate which forms what I choose to call the back wall 12 of the base. This second plate has a forward horizontal portion 13 attached to the bottom 10 as by spot welding and the plate then extends diagonally upwardly and rearwardly from the botom 10 to form the back wall 12 which is parallel but rearwardly disposed from the forward edges of the sides 11. From the upper portion of the back wall 12, the second plate ex- Minneapolis, Minn.

32. Serial No. 610,003

(9!. EBB-16) tends vertically downwardly to form a vertical portion 1 1 which joins the bottom 10. Matches are cut in horizontal portion 13 to receive the lower ends of a pair of card retaining posts 15 which are attached at their lower ends to the bottom 10 and project diagonally upwardly and rearwardly from the bottom forwardly from the back wall 12 and parallel thereto.

These posts are preferably fiat strips of metal and the posts have upper end portions 15a which are bent somewhat forwardly and upwardly away from the back wall 12 for a purpose presently to appear.

One of the posts 15 is preferably located closer to one side wall 11 than the other post is located to the other side wall 11.

A cover plate 16 extends between the side Walls 11 and has side wings which overlie the side walls and are pivotally connected thereto by means of pivots 17.

This coverplate has slots 16a cut upright position.

For use'withthe file, there are provided a plurality of cards B and C, these cards being identically the same with the exception that the cards (3 are of greater len th than the cards B. Each card, as best illustrated in Fig. 9, has a pair of slots 18 out therein adjacent its rear edge Within which the posts 15 may be received. The cards are of a width to closely iit between the side walls 11 and, accordingly, one of the slots 18 is more closely disposed to one side edge of the card than the other slot 18 is disposed to the other side edge of the card. The spacing between the slots 18 and the rear edge of each card is approximately the same as the horizontal spacing between the back wall 12 and the posts 15. Forward from the slots 18, a distance about equal to the horizontal spacing between the posts 15 and the inclined forward edges of the side walls 11, lines of bend 19 are formed in the cards. Although different types of cards may be used, oneparticularly satisfactory type is constructed as shown in detail in Fig. 10. This particular card includes an upper cloth layer 20 and a bottom paper layer The paper layer 21 is broken The cloth 20 forms a strong construction which resists the hinge action which takes place at 19 as the card is bent at this line. The forward portions of the cards which may be designated 23 are capable of being swung from horizontal position upwardly without binding as long as the cloth 20 is uppermost. If the paper layer 21 were placed uppermost, a binding action would take place at 22 as the forward portion 23 of a card was swung upwardly. If desired, index tabs 24 may be fastened to the forward edges of the cards. A base supporting plate 25 formed preferably of heavy cardboard or of metal is provided and this base supporting plate is preferably slightly longer than any of the cards B or C. This plate is equipped with post receiving slots similar to the slots 18 of the cards and it is adapted to underlie the lowermost card. It is provided in forwardly spaced relation from its rear edge a distance approximatin. the spacing between the lower portion of the back wall 12 and the forward edge of the bottom 10 with a hinge portion 26 permitting the base supporting plate to be reversely turned on itself as best shown in Fig. 4. When so turned on itself and applied to the posts 15, the base supporting plate projects rearwardly beyond the cover plate 16 when the cover plate is in upright position and forms a support which prevents the file from tipping rearwardly when it rests on 'a desk or the like.

The various cards B and C may be readily applied to the file by alining the slots 18 of the cards with the upper ends 15a of the posts and thereupon allowing the cards to slide downwardly on the posts. The rear edges of the cards will strike the back wall 12 and this back wall together with the posts assists in guiding the cards to their position, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The base supporting plate will preferably be first applied to the posts before the cards are placed thereon. If desired, a plate 2'7 composed of cardboard, metal or'the like and having post receiving openings similar to the openings 18 may be used between the base supporting plate 25 and the lowermost card B or C. This plate 27 will preferably be of the same or of slightly greater length than any of the cards and it will have a line of bend similar to the line of bend 19 so that it may be swung upwardly or downwardly with the cards. This plate 27 is used chiefiyas a cover for the lowermost card B or C to prevent the same from being soiled at any time and also to obscure whatever writing there may be on the lowermost card when all the forward portions 23 of the cards are in upwardly swung relation.

To retain the cards in position on the posts 15, as the file is handled, there is provided a suitable spring clip 28 of peculiar construction. This spring clip 28 will preferably be formed of spring wire and it is shaped as best shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '7 to form a yoke portion 28a and legs 28b joining the ends of the yoke portion and inclined downwardly therefrom somewhat outwardly to- Ward the ends of the yoke portion and somewhat forwardly toward the main span of the yoke portion. To receive the legs 28b of the spring clip, lines of small holes 29 are provided in the back wall 12. The legs 28?) may be inserted in opposite pairs of these holes 29 to locate the yoke portion 28a of the spring clip over whatever cards are applied to the posts 15. By reason of the inclination of the legs 28b and of the spring tension of the wire forming the spring clip, the yoke portion 28a. of the spring clip naturally tends to lay as close to the back wall as possible and the yoke, accordingly, presses against whatever cards may underlie the same to prevent the removal of the cards from the posts 15 and to also prevent sliding movement of the cards relative to the posts and consequent fraying of the cards by the posts. The spring clip 28, however, when applied, does not prevent slight longitudinal sliding movement of the cards. By provision of the series of holes 29, the spring clip can be variously located to act on greater or smaller numbers of the cards applied to the file. By reason of the natural resiliency of the clip and the adjustability of the same to various holes 29, the clip may be properly located to press against the cards no matter how many of the cards are applied to the posts 15.

There is also provided for use with the file a plate 30 which serves the combined function of a copyholder plate and a cover extension for the file. This plate 30 has at one end an offset portion provided with an upturned flange 301) set parallel to the main body of the plate. Slots 30c c t in the offset portion 30a to receive the while other slots 30d are cut in the main body of the plate adjacent the offset portion 380. also to receive the posts 15. 16 has been ed to upright position, as viewed in 3 and l, the plate 30 can be applied as shown, so that the posts 15 project through the slots c and 36d, the main portion of the plate rests against plate 16. A stenographers note book or the like 31 may be secured to the plate 30 as by a rubber band 32, clip or other retaining device, when the plate 3% is in this position. Also if desired, cards or the like may be supported from the trough formed by the offset portion 36a and. flange 300 of the plate 30. When the plate 30 is in this position, it acts to hold the cards B and C in place on the posts 15 and when so used, it will be unnecessary to use the cards although the spring clip 28 can be used therewith also if desired. The plate 30 may also be applied to the file as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the offset portion 380 located rearwardly from the vertical portion 14 of the back wall plate 12. In this position, the upper ends 15a of the posts extend through the slots 30d and the plate 39 forms a cover extension. for the file which eve ies all the'various 1i hen the parts of the device are in folded relation, as shown in Figs. 1. and-2, the file can be readily placed within a drawer or in a filing cabinet and handled'much in the same manner as a book or ordinary file. In this position, the plate 25 projects forwardly and forms a bottom cover j extension for the file, while the plate 30 forms a top cover extension for the file. The spring pressure of the ends 15a of the posts 15 exerts slight resilient pressure against the cover plate 16 to retain the in closed relation. desired, printed may be placed on one or both surfa es of the various cards and C and the cards may be arranged from time to time to suit the convenience of the user. One use to which the file may be conveniently put is as a file When the cover plate the upper edge of the cover spring clip 28 with the I When j forward portions 23 of the various cards B and C and by using the index tabs 24, the cards may be located to expose either the bottom or the top of the particular card desired to view. If a stenographer is using the device and has taken notes on what data taken from the cards she is to place in certain letters, for example, the stenographers note book 31 may be applied to the plate 30, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, whereupon the stenographer may read her notes and at the same time refer to various data on the cards. The rear extension of the base supporting plate 25 will prevent the file from tipping over backward even though most of the weight of the note book 31 is disposed rearwardly from the plate 30. If it is desired to support a loose card or a sheet of paper on the trough portion of the plate, this can also be readily done. The forward portions 23 of the cards may be readily swung from downward to upward position to be supported from the cover plate 16 and the plate 30 if used. As the cards are swung, there is no danger of fraying the edges of the cards at the lines of bend 19 for the reason that these lines of bend are disposed slightly forwardly from the inclined forward edges of the side walls 11. Attention should be called to thefact that the inclination of the back Wall 12, the posts 15 and the forward edges of the side walls 11 are such that they lie substantially parallel with a plane taken through the various lines of bend 19 of the various cards B and C when the cards are in superimposed position, and the lines of bend of the different cards are disposed to permit of per fect freedom for swinging movement of each card without interference by other cards. cards are used of different thickness than the thickness of the cards shown, the angle of inclination of the back wall 12, the posts 15 and the forward inclined edges of the side walls 11 will be varied to prevent interference in the movement of one card by other cards as it is swung on its bend line 19. r

The two posts 15 are preferably irregularly spaced from side walls 11 of the base and the slots 18 of the various cards are irregularly spaced from the side edges of the cards so that the cards may only be applied in position on the posts with the upper 01' cloth sides of the cards uppermost. If cards of the type illustrated are used, these cards cannot be freely swung about their lines of bend 19 if the cloth sides of the cards are placed downward. The slots 18 in the cards are made wide enough to permit slight relative longitudinal movement of the cards as they are swung from downward to upward position with-' out causing the cards to climb the posts or to bend on each other. Due to the provision of the back wall 12 in combination with the inclined posts 15, the rear edges of the cards are sup ported by the back wall at the same time that the cards are slid downwardly on the posts and no disarrangement of the cards can occur, The upturned ends 15a of the posts permit of easy threading of the cards in place onto the posts. The side walls 11 guide the edges of the cards and prevent the same from skewing when they are in place on the posts.

If it is desired to allow the file to rest on a fiat surface as on a desk and still take up but small space when not in use, it is possible to swing all of the cards together with either or both of the plates 25 and 27 upwardly, whereupon but small desk room will be taken by the file and at the same time the plate 27 and the plate 25 Where if also swung upwardly, will prevent the printed matter on the bottom card from beingread.

The index, of course, can be put to a great many different uses. It has been successfully demonstrated in actual practice.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in'the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of the present invention, which, generally stated, consists inthe matter shown and described and set forth in the appended claims. 1 1 I What is claimed is:--

1. A loose leaf card file comprising a base having a bottom and an upwardly and rearwardly inclined back wall joining the bottom, a pair of card retaining posts secured to said bottom and projecting upwardly and rearwardly therefrom in forwardly spaced relation from said back wall, a plurality of cards having perforations adjacent their rear ends to permit insertion of said posts therethrough, said cards having lines of bend secured to said bottom and projecting upwardly and rearwardly therefrom in forwardly spaced relation from said backwall, a cover plate pivoted to said base adjacent its rear end and adapted to be swung to substantially vertical position to engage said base, and a plurality of cards having post receiving perforations forwardly spaced from their rear ends a distance approximating the horizontal spacing between said back wall and said posts, said cards having lines of bend spaced forwardly from said perforations where-- by the portions of said cards forward of said lines of bend may be retained either in substantially horizontal position or in upwardly swung position supported by said cover plate.

3. The structure defined in claim 2, and spring I retaining means mounted in said back wall and bearing against the rear portions of said cards to prevent the same from sliding off said post's.

' 4. The structure defined in claim 2, and a supporting plate engageable with said posts and con 5 structed to be reversely bent upon itself adjacent the forward edge of said base to underlie said base and project rearwardiy therefrom and thereby stably support the file.

5. A loose leaf card file comprising a base 15.

having a bottom and an upwardly and rearwardly inclined back wall projecting therefrom, a pair of card receiving posts secured to said base and projecting upwardly and rearwardly therefrom in forwardly spaced relation from said back wall, said base having spaced side walls provided with upwardly and rearwardly inclined forward. edges substantially paralleling said posts in forwardly spaced relation therefrom, a cover plate pivoted tosaid base and which may be swung are applied on said posts are disposed forwardly of adjacent portions of said side walls, the forward portions of said cards being capable of being swung from substantially horizontal position to upwardly swung position to be supported-by said cover plate.

6. The structure defined in claim 5 and a copyholder plate engageable with said posts and back wall to project upwardly therefrom.

7.The structure defined in claim 5, a copyholder plate engageable with said posts and back wall to project upwardly therefrom, and a plate engageable with said posts and having a line of bend adjacent the forward edge of said base to permit the same to be swung rearwardly below said bottom of said base to extend rearwardly from said back wall and stably support the file when a note book or the like is held by said copyholder plate. I

8. A loose leaf card file comprising a base having a bottom and a back wall joining said bottom andprojecting upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a pair of card holding posts secured to said bottom and projecting upwardly and rearwardly therefrom in forwardly spaced relation from said back wall, a plurality of cards per forated adjacent their rear ends to be received over said posts, and at the same time to slide on said back wall, said back wall having lines of spaced perforations therein and a spring wire having arms adapted to be received within pairs of perforations, said spring wire having a yoke portion extending forwardly from said arms to overlie said cards to retain the cards in position against slipping off said posts, and press against the cards.

9. A loose leaf card file, comprising a base having a bottom and a backwall inclining upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a pair of card holding posts secured to said bottom and projecting therefrom in forwardly spaced parallel relation to said back wall, a cover plate pivoted to said base adjacent its rear end and adapted to be swung upwardly from a position overlying said base to a substantially vertical position engaging said base, a plurality of cards perforated adjacent their rear ends to be received by said posts, said cards having lines of bend in forwardly spaced relation from saidposts to permit the forward portions of the cards to be either horizontally disposed or to be swung upwardly from said base and a copyholder plate engageable with said posts to rest on said cards and said cover plate when said cover plate is upwardly swung, said copyholder plate acting to preventremoval of said cards from said posts.

' 10. The structure defined in claim 9, said copy holder plate having a forawrdly upwardly projecting retaining flange to support cards or the like resting on the 'copyholder plate.

11. A loose leaf card file comprising a base having a bottom and a back wall projecting upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a pair of card receiving posts secured to said base and projecting in forwardly spaced parallel relation to said back wall, the upper ends of said posts being bent somewhat forwardly and away from said back wall, a cover plate pivoted to said base adjacent its rear end and adapted to be swung to overlie said base, said cover plate having openings therein to receive the upper ends of said posts and a plurality of cards perforated adjacent their rear ends to be received by said posts and to slide on said back wall, said cards having lines of bend inforwardly spaced relation from said perforations whereby the forward portions of the cards may be held either in substantially horizontal position or in upwardly swung relation resting on said cover plate.

l2. A loose-leaf card file comprising a base having a bottom and a back wall projecting diagonally upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a pair of card receiving posts secured to said base and projecting in forwardly spaced parallel relation to said back wall, a plurality of cards having perforations adjacent their rear edges through which said posts may pass, said perforations being spaced forwardly from the rear edges of the cards a distance corresponding to the horizontal spacing between said back wall and said posts, said cards having lines of bend forwardly spaced from said perforations.

13. The structure defined in claim 12, and resilient means engageable with said back wall and pressing said cards downwardly against the same.

14. A loose leaf card file comprising a base having a bottom and a back wall projecting upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a pair of card re ceiving posts secured to said base and projecting in forwardly spaced parallel relation to said back wall, said posts having upper ends bent forwardly and upwardly away from said back wall and a plurality of cards having post receiving perforations therein forwardly spaced from their rear edges a distance approximately the horizontal spacing between said back wall and said posts, said cards forwardly from said perforations having lines of bend permitting upward swinging movement of the forward portions of the cards when applied to said posts. I

e 15. A loose leaf card file comprising a base having a bottom, a back wall and spaced parallel side walls, a pair of posts 'mounted on said base and i.

projecting upwardly andrearwardly therefrom in forwardly spaced parallel relation to said back wall, one of said posts being more closely disposed to one of said side walls than the other post is disposed from the remaining side wall, a plurality of cards of a widthcorresponding to the spacing between said side walls, said cards each having pairs of post perforations therein in spaced relation from their rear edges, one of the perforations of each card being more closely disposed to one side edge of the card than the other perforation of the card is disposed to the remaining side edge thereof in order that the cards may be received on said posts between said side walls with only a certain side uppermost, said cards having lines of bend for upward swinging movement of the forward portions of the cards, said lines of bend being spaced forwardly from said perforations, said cards having cloth upper portions and brittle lower portions applied thereto, the cards 

